Shakespearean Experience
A small cast is preparing some big works as they get into “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged” by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, opening Nov. 28 at the Butler Little Theatre.
Director Liz Smith is no stranger to Shakespeare and lends her expertise as the three actors prepare to get goofy with the bard.
“This is a comical portrayal of the vastness that is the complete works of one of theater's most beloved and esteemed playwrights, William Shakespeare,” said Smith, likening the show to a roasting of sorts.
The play features three male leads.
Daniel Williams of the United Kingdom who now lives in Bellevue is playing the role written for Adam Long.
“I've got a lot of energy, some people would say too much, and that certainly helps when trying to fit 37 plays into 97 minutes,” said Williams.
Each of the actors portrays several different Shakespearean roles throughout the show.
Williams said he saw a video of the show and decided it was something he wanted to try.
“A friend of mine showed me a performance of the show by the Reduced Shakespeare Company, and I couldn't stop laughing at it. When I found out that BLT was doing the show, I wanted to come and give it a go. It's something I really wanted to be a part of,” he said.
He referred to the show as organized chaos. “It's hilarious, fast paced and spontaneous,” he said.
His two cast mates are Phillip Ball and Louis Hutmire.
While some directors might take comfort in a huge cast to direct, Smith said she prefers the small cast.
“The small cast is a beautiful thing. Since all of the actors are in every rehearsal, they get to know each other quickly and can play off of each other's quirks, find ideas that work, or don't work, really quickly,” she said.
Smith has been hands off a lot of the time for this production, offering suggestions here and there, and the three men just seem to run with it.
“The three guys in this show all have great strengths that they bring to the script: one of them performed this show as a different character 18 years ago; one of them has incredible energy; and the other has amazing audience connection, which this show needs,” she said.
Smith expects the audience to laugh and said it makes no difference how familiar audience members are with Shakespeare; the jokes will still be funny.
“It's a farce, but not the typical farce rehashing old jokes in script and performance,” she said.
There is scoffing and mocking of the Elizabethan era writer.
“It's a dedication, of sorts, to the playwright that pens such beautiful lines and such bawdy jokes,” Smith said.
WHO: Butler Little TheatreWHAT: “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged”WHEN: Nov. 28 to 30 and Dec. 2 to 6, with curtain at 8:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayWHERE: One Howard St.TICKETS: $12, call 724-287-6781 from 7 to 9 p.m. weekdaysINFO: www.bltgroup.org
